Notable absences include defending Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso (Team Liquigas), who is focusing on the Tour de France this year, and 2004 winner Damiano Cunego.

Teams can change riders before the start of stage 1.

The 2011 Giro d'Italia race will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification. It begins in Turin, passes through Sicily and ends in Milan.

Contador tested positive for clenbuterol during his Tour de France victory last year but was cleared by Spanish cycling officials after arguing the result was caused by contaminated beef. The UCI has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. A ruling is not expected until after the Giro d'Italia.